Washington District 9Little League UmpireInformation & Resources

Balks
on the big diamond: A guide for umpires

Balks and illegal pitches are covered in Rule 8.05, which
contains thirteen sections (sections "a" through "m"). All of the sections of
8.05 are enforced in Little League Intermediate (50-70)
Division/Junior/Senior/Big League baseball (that is, on the "big
diamond").

However, only a selected number of these rules, those which are
"illegal pitches," are enforced in Little League Majors and Minors
("small diamond").

The sections below provide the text of Rule 8.05(a-m). Clicking on the
Explanation & Commentary buttons will open a reading pane. The reading
pane contains content drawn from the Western Region Umpire Instruction
Manual ("RIM"), commentary from the Little League publication
entitled The Right Call, and from Washington District 9 umpire consultants.

Rule 8.05

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An illegal pitch (a balk in Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior/Big League baseball when a runner or runners are on base) is when:

With no runners on base, you can only call an illegal pitch if (e) and/or (g) are committed. In all other cases, call nothing with no runners on base at any level of play.

(a) The pitcher, while touching the plate, makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch and fails to make such delivery;

If the pitcher starts his delivery, in any way, and stops, the pitcher has violated the rule. Call a balk or illegal pitch.

If a pitcher swings any part of the free foot past the back edge of the pitcher’s plate, the pitcher is required to pitch to the batter, except to throw to second base on a pick-off play. Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire’s mind, the “intent” of the pitcher should govern.

(b) The pitcher, while touching the plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw;

If the pitcher starts his/her delivery, in any way, and stops, the pitcher has violated the rule. Call a balk or illegal pitch. It does not matter if the stop is unintentions - that is, if the pitcher stumbles, for example.

A pitcher, while touching the pitching plate, may fake to second or third base provided the base is occupied and the pitcher steps in the direction of the base. The pitcher may not, however, feint to first base unless he properly disengages from the rubber first.

(c) The pitcher, while touching the plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;

The pitcher must, while touching the pitcher’s plate, step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off his free foot without actually stepping, or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.

Be mindful what is meant by "step directly toward base." In fact, “directly” is interpreted as within the wedge that is formed by imaginary lines, one from the pitcher’s mound to first base and the other from the pitcher’s mound to a point halfway from home to first (see illustration, below). The pitcher may not, on his deliver, step into the “homeward” wedge and then twist and throw to first.

A pitcher must step directly toward a base before throwing to that base; however, he is not required to throw to that base simply because he stepped in that direction. EXCEPTION: When stepping toward first base (while first base is occupied), the pitcher is required to throw to that base.

It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, but rather to merely bluff the runner back to third; but then, seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically the same motion “wheels” and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to first base, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off the pitcher’s plate and then makes such a move, it is not a balk.

The above situation frequently happens in one of two ways: (1) a left-hande pitcher, facing first base, steps toward the plate while throwing to first; and (2) a right-hander, who is facing third base, turns and pivots on the front (left) foot while throwing to first. Both of these moves are balks and should be enforced.

Both the “jump turn” and the “stutter-step” are legal provided it’s a quick and fluid motion. If there is any interruption, call a balk.

(d) The pitcher, while touching the plate, throws, or feints a throw, to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play;

Throwing to an unoccupied base to make an appeal is acceptable and not a balk.

Example of a move that would be a balk: A runner on first breaks for second. The pitcher, sensing that the runner is stealing second, turns and throws to second base, while the runner has returned back at first. Since there was no play at second, call a balk.

(e) The pitcher makes an "quick pitch"; umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box.
NOTE: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. With runners on base penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. (See exceptions in "Penalty".)

A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. In Little League (Minors, Majors, and in all divisions of softball), the penalty for a quick pitch is awarding a ball to the batter (regardless of whether there are runners on base). In Junior/Senior/Big League Baseball, with runners on base, the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball to the batter.

The only two illegal pitches that are balks with runners on base (in Junior/Senior/Big League Baseball) are (1) a quick pitch and (2) a pitch that is delivered when the pitcher is not in contact with the pitcher’s plate.

Recognize that in the process of turning the foot and pushing off, the pitcher will not be in contact with the pitcher’s plate upon delivery (which is not an infraction). What the rule is trying to prevent is when the pitcher picks up the foot and re-plants the foot clearly in front of the pitcher’s plate. This is taking unfair advantage of the hitter.

(f) The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while not facing the batter;

Not sure what to say about this one. I can't even picture it.

(g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch while not touching the pitcher's plate;

This is a move clearly designed to deceive the runners and must be called. The pitcher should not get onto the pitcher’s plate until he’s ready to look in for the sign and then pitch.

(h) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game;

(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher's plate or while off the plate feints a pitch;

This is a move clearly designed to deceive the runners and must be called a balk (Intermediate/Junior/Senior/Big League), or an illegal pitch (award a ball to the batter) in Majors and Minor Little Leagues. The pitcher should not get onto the pitcher’s plate until he has the ball and is ready to look in for the sign and then pitch.

(j) The pitcher, while touching the plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball;

A ball, which slips out of a pitcher’s hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise, it should be called no pitch. With runners on base, this would be a balk.

(k) The pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher's box.

PENALTY: The pitch shall be called a ball. If a play follows the illegal pitch the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the illegal pitch penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely, and if all base-runners advance at least one base on the action resulting from the batted ball, the play proceeds without reference to the illegal pitch.
NOTE: A batter hit by pitch shall be awarded first base without reference to the illegal pitch.

This action occurs only on intentional base on balls, not on "pitch outs" or other situations. However, because the size of the catcher's box in Little League, it's virtually impossible to get out of the box. In other words, invoke this rule only in the most extreme cases; that is, where the catcher starts moving before the pitcher even starts his delivery.

(l) The pitcher, after coming to a legal position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base;

This is a balk whether from the Windup or the Set position.

(m) The pitcher delivers the pitch from the set position without coming to a stop.

In Majors and below, it is not necessary to stop prior to delivery. Pitchers can also windup from Set Position.

In Juniors, Seniors and Big League, the pitcher may step and throw to a base at any time during the stretch. However, the pitcher must come to a stop before delivering the ball to the batter.

A change of direction is not considered a stop.

NOTE: If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied, it shall be
called an illegal pitch. Little League (Majors) and Minor League -In the
situations noted above (excluding [l] and [m]),
if the pitcher makes an illegal pitch, it shall be called an illegal pitch whether
or not runner(s) is/are on base. There is no balk in Majors and Minors.

PENALTY FOR AN ILLEGAL PITCH: The pitch shall be called a ball.
If a play follows the illegal pitch the manager of the offense may advise the
plate umpire of a decision to decline the illegal pitch penalty and accept the
play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if
the batter hits the ball and r eaches first base safely, and if all base runners
advance at least one base on the action resulting from the batted ball, the play
proceeds without reference to the illegal pitch. NOTE: A batter hit by a pitch shall be awarded first base without
reference to the illegal pitch.

PENALTY FOR A BALK: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk. When a balk is called and the pitch is delivered it will be considered neither a ball nor strike unless the pitch is ball four (4) awarding the batter first base and forcing all runners on base to advance.

NOTE: Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire's mind, the "intent" of the pitcher should govern. However, certain specifics should be borne in mind:

Straddling the pitcher's plate without the ball is to be interpreted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk.

With a runner on first base, and the runner attempting to steal second, the pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base.

APPROVED RULING 1: If the pitcher violates (a) through (m) in this rule and throws wild to a base, the runner or runners may advance at their own risk (delayed dead ball).

APPROVED RULING 2: A runner who misses the first base to which that runner is advancing and who is called out on appeal shall be considered as having advanced one base for the purpose of this rule.

Note: On any play on which a balk occurs, if action advances the batter-runner to first base and also advances all runners at least one base, the balk is nullified. Also note that if the pitch is delivered, it counts against pitch count, even if the balk is nullified.

If the pitch is delivered, it’s neither a ball nor a strike UNLESS the pitch is ball four; in this case, award the batter first base and any other runners advance if forced. If they don’t all advance as a result of the ball four award, enforce the balk, nullify the walk and bring the batter back up to bat.

A major problem is umpires calling “time” when a pitcher balks. If the pitcher is in the act of delivering the ball, just yell “balk” and stay down and call the pitch.

If the pitcher “balks” in throwing to a base, yell “balk” and wait to see what happens on the play. (Rule 8.05 Approved Ruling (1)).

The "catcher's balk"

In addition to the thirteen sections of Rule 8.05, umpires should also be mindful of the related issue of the "catcher's balk":

Rule 4.03(a). If a catcher leaves the batter’s box before the pitcher delivers the pitch (as when giving an intentional walk), the pitcher shall be charged with a balk (with runners on base), or with no runners on, an illegal pitch (ball to the batter).

Rule 7.07. If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or the bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk (“catcher’s balk”), the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference (“catcher’s interference”) and the ball is dead.